Feature Stories from the Star Eagle pages.
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Former NR area resident with nearly impossible recovery story participates in TCO Vikings 5K
REMARKABLE STORY — Carol Spear, right, and her huband Larry. (Vikings.com photo)
By LINDNEY YOUNG
Assistant Editor/Staff Writer, Vikings.com
When Carol Spear took part in the 2019 TCO Vikings 5K, she wasn’t be expecting to set any time records.
She may even have needed assistance from family members – 16 of them, to be exact – to finish the race.
But Carol was just happy to be there.
Two years ago, Carol and her husband, Larry, were invited by their son, Brian; daughter-in-law, Cathy; and grandson, Zac, to participate in the 2017 iteration of the 5K at U.S. Bank Stadium. They didn’t hesitate to accept.
“I thought it would be exciting to actually walk through the [tunnel] where the players come out onto the field,” Carol said. “I won’t say how old, but I’m older, and I thought, ‘This is something that I’d like to do before I go to Heaven.’ We just thought it would be a fun weekend.”
Carol and Larry had spent time training for the 5K in their small hometown of Granada, Minnesota – population 286 – and on race day traded in gravel roads for a finish line on bright-green turf.
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The New Richland American Legion Auxiliary served cake Thursday, Oct. 24 for local Legion members in honor of the 100th anniversary of the post. From left: Dennis Dinneen, Syvert Berg, Bud Shurson and Winston Evenson. (Submitted photo)
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Domeier, Ihrke crowned
Homecoming royalty for 2019 at NRHEG High School was crowned Monday, Sept. 23 in the high school gymnasium. Above, Queen Jayna Domeier gets a hug from Annie Prigge. Blake Ihrke was crowned King. See Pages 6-7 of this week's Star Eagle for photos of the current Homecoming court, past Homecoming courts and a list of all royalty from NRHEG, New Richland-Hartland and Ellendale-Geneva. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
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But commander concerned about future of Post 75
A LOT OF HISTORY — The New Richland American Legion Andrew Borgen Post 75 has a lot of history, as pointed out by commander Syvert Berg (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
As you look around the walls of the New Richland American Legion’s hole-in-the-wall headquarters on N. Broadway Ave., you see a lot of history.
The original charter is there, along with photos of local soldiers killed in action, a list of past commanders, and other items.
How much more history they’ll make is anybody’s guess, but as of this year the Andrew Borgen post is exactly 100 years old.
The sad truth is the Legion has gone downhill since it sold its building several years ago. It was tough to do, according to current commander Syvert Berg, but something that had to be done.
“Times have changed,” said Berg. “That was an expensive building to maintain, and the patronage was way down. The public doesn’t drink like it used to. People are afraid of DWIs.”
Berg laments the fact the Legion is no longer able to support the community the way it used to.
“We were supporting (the Legion) with Bingo nights,” said Berg. “We used to get quite a crew in here on Tuesday nights. Food and beverage sales were big.”
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PRIZE PIG — Ethan Strenge shows his Grand Champion market gilt at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair. (Photo by Empire Imagery)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Almost everyone in New Richland knows of Ethan Strenge.
He’s the kid who grew up with a misshapen face, the result of a rare form of cancer that forced the removal of most of his right cheekbone. It hasn’t been pretty, and Strenge — who was diagnosed 14 years ago — became known around town as the kid who overcame so much.
Now he can be also recognized as a state record holder.
Strenge, who turned 18 in July, earned Grand Champion honors with his market gilt at the Minnesota State Fair, netting a record $17,500 in the auction ($10,500 selling price, $7,000 donations). He also won the use of a Featherlite livestock trailer for one year. The money, of course, is set aside for college, but first there’s his senior year at NRHEG High School, and another year that promises to be just as eventful (more on that later).
Strenge’s path to state began with Grand Champion honors at the Waseca County Fair. He accepted the optional trip to the state fair, where there were more than 100 market gilts in seven classes. After winning his class, it was on to an extremely competitive final round.
“The judge looked at a lot of pigs, but he looked at mine the most,” said Strenge.